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The King’s representative in Canada said the country had not yet had a “serious discussion” about what would happen if the country ditched the monarchy – and King Charles III was getting a chance to prove himself.
“If there’s talk of whether we should have a king at the head of our country, then we need to have a serious discussion in Canada about what we want … and I haven’t heard of that discussion,” said Gov. General Mary Simon told the CBC which House in an interview that aired Saturday.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say … the polls have said that they don’t support the King. But at the same time, I think we should give him a chance. He’s a good leader.”
Simon spoke to host Catherine Cullen ahead of his trip to England, where he will attend the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday. He will be the first Canadian governor general to witness the coronation of a new monarch in more than 70 years.
Recent polls have suggested that most Canadian unwilling to acknowledge Charles as King. Although Elizabeth’s mother is popular in Canada, her ascension to the throne has sparked a new conversation about the role of the monarchy in Canada.
While the monarchy has no political power in Canada, it is still an important symbol for many people and is part of Canada’s constitutional structure.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that Canadians are not interested in a conversation about the monarchy and have no appetite for change that would require a constitutional amendment.
WATCH | The Governor General discusses the upcoming meeting between the Raja, the Indigenous leaders:
Governor General Mary Simon spoke about the meeting between Indigenous leaders and King Charles III, before the coronation.
“Obviously there are some people who feel that a different system would be better. Those people can make those arguments, but what they can’t do is agree on a better alternative,” Trudeau said.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party has traditionally been more friendly to the monarchy, spoke positively of the institution in a speech marking Elizabeth’s death last fall, citing its importance as a symbol of power sharing and as a guarantor of democracy.
Opportunities for ‘new’ Crown-Indigenous relations
Simon told the CBC’s Cullen that the institution of monarchy was an integral part of Canada’s development and is still part of Canada’s democratic structure.
Simon also said he thinks Charles would make a good king, given his genuine advocacy for the environment and his serious desire to meet and engage with Indigenous leaders in Canada.
Charles’ stance is particularly relevant to the project of Indigenous reconciliation, given the Crown’s direct relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada. Charles will meet with Inuit, First Nations and Métis leaders on Thursday.
Simon said he was optimistic about the possibility of progress and the development of “new” Crown-Indigenous relations through King Charles – although he warned that things would not change anytime soon.
He said he did not know that Charles would open up to some of the key demands made by Indigenous leaders – which called for, among other things, a formal apology for the Crown’s role in colonization and the residential school system.
WATCH | The Governor General on King Charles III’s approach to the monarchy:
Governor General Mary Simon said King Charles III was different from his mother and she believed he would make a good king.
“I think we should start slowly,” Simon said. “I think the Indigenous leaders and the King should get to know each other, build the necessary trust.
“Apologizing is always important. But it’s the action behind the apology that counts.”
Simon said he knows the institution of the monarchy is unpopular with some Canadians. And while she said Charles deserves a chance, she expressed an openness to talking about the future of the monarchy.
“There are still a lot of people who support it and see it as part of moving forward,” he said.
“I think we can discuss in a positive and meaningful way, what are the alternatives, where do we go from here? That’s a conversation going forward.”
CBC’s coverage of King Charles’ coronation will be available on all platforms on May 6 starting at 4 a.m. ET on CBC TV, CBC News Network, CBC Radio and streaming on CBC Gem, CBC News Explore, and CBC Listen.
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